NEW MILFORD — After reading about the company’s 80th Anniversary celebration and planned expansion last year in The Newtown Bee, US Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced March 11 that [naviga:u]Aldine Metal Products[/naviga:u] in New Milford is his latest “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer.”

Aldine specializes in custom precision sheet metal fabrication for various parts, including cabinets, consoles, racks, carts, and other components. The company is currently run by Newtown resident Rodd Blessey, who is the grandson of Aldine’s founder; he is also the company’s president and chief operating officer.

His father, Richard, still serves as CEO.

“I want to thank Aldine for their commitment to Connecticut manufacturing and their tireless workforce,” said Sen Murphy. “For over 80 years, they’ve adapted with the times to produce quality products to maintain success in the state. I’m happy to highlight their work.”

“It was an honor for Aldine Metal Products to be recognized by Senator Chris Murphy as his ‘Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer’ this week,” Rodd Blessey told The Bee. “We are very proud of our team.”

Mr Blessey said Aldine Metal Products has been proud to partner with companies in Connecticut and the Northeast region to produce high quality products that help their customers grow.

“The quality of our team, investment in new equipment, and additional operating and support facilities have allowed for continued growth in the state. We look forward to continuing this growth in 2019 and beyond,” said Mr Blessey.

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[naviga:u]Check out our August 2018 feature on Aldine's 80th Anniversary by clicking here[/naviga:u][/naviga:h5]

Aldine was founded in 1938 by the late Robert Blessey in Brooklyn, New York, primarily manufacturing products for the military procurement industry. By 1955, the company outgrew its Brooklyn office and moved to Brookfield before settling in its current location in New Milford.

Aldine’s high-tech computer and laser-driven technology has the capability to manufacturer any metal parts, like precision laser cutting, spot welding, short run stamping, and assembly, to meet the needs of their customers.

The company routinely partners with the Naugatuck Valley Community College manufacturing apprenticeship program to train the next generation of manufacturers in Connecticut.

“Working closely with the Naugatuck Valley Community College to train new potential employees has helped us improve our workforce and build for the future,” said Mr Blessey.

Some of the students in the apprenticeship program have gone on to become members of Mr Blessey’s team. Aldine is currently working with Connstep, Connecticut’s premier business consulting firm for manufacturers, to become ISO-certified by the end of this year.

Aldine has 29 full-time employees who work out of the company’s recently expanded 27,000-square-foot facility just off Route 7 near New Milford High School.

The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating the state’s economic recovery.

Today, Connecticut’s 4,600 manufacturers account for ten percent of the state’s jobs and 87 percent of the state’s total exports, according to the senator’s release.

In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Sen Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the BuyAmerican.gov Act, and the American Jobs Matter Act.